The Thai capture of Lovek, more than…

The Thai capture of Lovek, more than their conquest of Angkor a century and a half earlier, marks the beginning of a decline in Cambodia's fortunes.

One possible reason for the decline is the labor drain imposed by the Thai conquerors as they march thousands of Khmer peasants, skilled artisans, scholars, and members of the Buddhist clergy back to their capital of Ayutthaya.

This practice, common in the history of Southeast Asia, cripples Cambodia's ability to recover a semblance of its former greatness.

A new Khmer capital is established at Odongk (Udong), south of Lovek, but its monarchs can survive only by entering into what amounts to vassal relationships with the Thai and with the Vietnamese.

In common parlance, Thailand becomes Cambodia's "father" and Vietnam its "mother."